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3 Qualities to Look for When Purchasing a Fishing Net

There are multiple ways to fish. Most people who fish recreationally nowadays use a rod and reel setup of some kind. This method is rather inefficient for people who work in commercial fish catching and selling situations, such as fish markets or restaurants. Therefore, these fishermen are more than likely inclined to use fishing nets. There are various types and sizes of fishing nets available on the market, and some are better than others. However, there are three, essential qualities to look for in these nets to make sure that the right one is being used for the situation at hand.

1- Whether or Not It Uses a Float

Some fishing nets do not require floats to keep them vertically hanging in the water, but certain other types certainly do. There are a few types of floats to consider, and they all have one, overall purpose. Without these floats, certain types of nets, like trammel and seine, will float away horizontally across the water’s edge. This situation is highly problematic because it will not trap nearly as many fish. Actually, most fish who find their way into these nets will be able to find their way out again, if the nets are not secured with floats.

There are a couple of factors to consider with floats. First and foremost, the material being used to create the floats must be examined. Obviously, some floats are made of more dense materials that can be used in rougher water conditions. Lighter materials, like cork, are more common. Unlike in the past, they are also brightly colored to make them easy to see. These colors also make it easier to distinguish one fisherman’s set of nets from others that might be in the same area.

2- Whether or Not It Can be Used in High or Low Tide

Understanding the tide and how it affects the area being used for fishing with a net is crucial to deciding on which net is the best to use. Rougher waters being accessed throughout various points in the day will not only bring in different types of fish, but it can also bring in other water life as well. Namely, debris and plants sent toward shore can be a major problem for nets. The tide will help to make a decision on what materials other than fish are going to end up in the net. Therefore, lighter materials might not be kosher for use during certain tide points as they might be ripped by debris or might become clogged by plants floating freely in the water. More dense materials might end up causing the net to be too heavy if debris and plants become trapped in them, even if the net is then protected from ripping with the heavier weight.

3- Whether or Not It Has an Environmental Impact

Probably the most important thing to consider about fishing nets is the type of environmental impact they leave during and after their use. Larger scale nets might be used by certain fisheries that will catch whatever comes into the net, which can include smaller fish like cod or haddock all the way up to dolphins and sharks. Many nets used in this way contribute to far too many, needless deaths of creatures that are not intended to be caught. In areas where endangered species are being looked after, these nets should not be used.

At the same time, the material being used to create the net can also have an environmental impact. Some plastic nets can float away and become lost, also known as ghost nets. These nets are especially dangerous because they can end up anywhere in a given location, and they have been known to trap creatures to the point of killing them. Therefore, the material of choice for nets needs to be chosen wisely to make certain that a ghost net situation does not occur.

Conclusion

Deciding on the right fishing net can be a daunting task. However, if these three qualities are considered before purchasing takes place, then the options available will be narrowed down to a much smaller pool of items to pick from. Any fishing net that meets these qualities will be worthwhile in most cases.